Civil Unrest in India Hits Tourism, Prompts Travel Warnings

India’s tourism industry has been hit by a wave of violent anti-government protests across the country against a new citizenship law, with at least seven countries issuing travel warnings.

A wave of violent anti-government protests against a new citizenship law has hit India’s tourism industry which led to the issuance of travel warnings.

In the last two weeks about 200,000 domestic and international tourists have cancelled or postponed trips to Taj Mahal.

In the clashes between police and protesters and demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act at least 25 people have been killed. Critics see it as anti-Muslim.

Travel advisories have been issued by the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, Singapore, Canada and Taiwan asking their citizens to either refrain from visiting or to exercise caution when visiting regions embroiled in India’s protests.

Dinesh Kumar a police inspector overseeing a special tourist police station near the Taj Mahal who has access to the visitor data said that there has been a 60 percent decline in visitor footfalls in December this year.

Many still decide to stay away as the 17th century marble monument is in northern state has witnessed the highest number of deaths and intense bursts of violence in two weeks of unrest.